Ani Boghiguian on Weaving Armenia
“The gift of being alive is developing a garden in oneself,” the Armenian-Egyptian artist told Hyperallergic, “and to move towards heaven.”
YEREVAN, Armenia - Armenian-Egyptian artist Anna Boghiguian's exhibition, Weaving Culture, has made its debut at the National Gallery of Armenia, showcasing her unique watercolor carpets inspired by the natural heritage of Armenia. After spending five decades globetrotting, Boghiguian's artistic journey has led her to create a collection of 37 rugs and three drawings, divided across three acts within adjoining gallery spaces.
The first act immerses viewers in the majestic Armenian mountains, with the towering peaks often tightly compressed against each other in a palette of blues, browns, and purples. A massive red sun with yellow rays reigns supreme, dominating the landscape that is bounded by two red and grayish peaks. These imposing visual elements are a testament to the artist's mastery in transforming the natural world into abstract, yet recognizable forms.
The second act of the exhibition is a lush garden, teeming with trees and plants adorned with large, blossoming, blood-red flowers. A striking human figure is featured in "Man with Pomegranate and Snake," highlighting the artist's ability to incorporate human elements within her natural landscapes. Additionally, storks, a common sight in Armenia, are recurrent motifs in these works, further emphasizing the connection between the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the region.
The third and final act of the exhibition features the tapestry "The Sound of Nature is Music," which draws upon the stylistic elements of Arshile Gorky's landscapes. This work, along with the other pieces in the exhibition, showcases Boghiguian's distinctive ability to blend traditional Armenian rug motifs with figurative and stylized elements in a vivid array of pastel colors.
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